Toggle grip mechanism



July 13, 1965 E. B. BYAM TOGGLE GRIP MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. l0, 1963 INV ENTOR ATTORNEY E. B. BYAM July 13, 1965 TOGGLE GRIP MECHANISM s sheets-sheet 2 Filed' Jan. l0, 1963 July 13, 1965 E. B. BYAM 3,194,048

n TOGGLE GRIP MECHANISM Filed Jan. 10, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 V www@ United States Patent O 3,194,948 TGGGLE GRIP MECHANISM Erwin B. Byam, Wolcott, Conn., assigner to Textron luc., Providence, RJ. Filed Jan. 1t), 1963, Ser. No. 250,635 Claims. (Cl. 72E- 4115) This invention relates to a heading machine especially of the horizontal type, wherein a length of stock is gripped in a die and operated on by one or more punches to head or otherwise deform the length of stock or workpiece. More particularly, the invention is directed lto a header utilizing one or more split dies which may be opened and closed and is sometimes known as an open die machine. The invention is directed to apparatus for opening and closing a die in which the workpiece is expanded for a portion along its length intermediate its ends. Normally, the workpieceis expanded or headed at the end adjacent the face of the die. The invention is contemplated for use in a machine provided with at least two dies, one above or axially displaced from the other, with transfer between the die forming the first station and the next adjacent die being required.

In the usual machine of this type, a relatively long workpiece is severed from a length of rod stock fed to the machine at the cut-off station. The severed workpiece is transferred to the rst open die `forming the rst die station. When the work-piece is positioned in the die, the die closes and securely grips the workpiece so that operations may be performed thereon by one or more punches. Usually the workpiece is expanded or headed at the outer end. After completion of the operations at the first station, the die opens to permit the workpiece to be partially ejected so that the outer end may be gripped by transfer fingers. Then the die opens an additional amount to Iallow the workpiece to be transferred between the interfaces of the die halves to -the next adjacent station. Utilipiece whose length is greater than the clearance between the punch and the die at the position of maximum clearance. It is noted that the amount of initial opening is not suiicient to allow the workpiece to fall or be displaced from the `die cavity. In this manner, control over the workpiece is maintained until the transfer lingers grip the workpiece and assume control thereof. Thereafter, the die may open the additional amount to allow the workpiece to pass between the die halves without concern that control over the workpiece will be lost.

However, it is desirable in some cases to form the workpiece with an expanded section intermediate its ends. In such a case, the initial opening of the die halves to allow the larger size interior segment to clear that portion of the `die cavity blocking the workpiece from partial ejection, may be so large that the workpiece will fall from the die cavity or become disoriented before the transfer iingers can assume control. Thus, the usual open die mechanism cannot be used where the workpiece is to be expanded other than at the end adjacent the surface of the die..

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide means for opening portions of a split die unequal amounts so that a workpiece, having a bulge along its length intermediate its ends, can be partially ejected to transfer lingers without losing control over the workpiece.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for opening one portion of a split die an initial amount before the other portion of the split die is opened, whereby, in the nal open position, the rst portion will be open a greater amount than the second portion.

ice

A further object of the invention is to provide separate toggle means for operating portions of a split die, the toggle means being actuated by a single mechanism 0pcrated in timed relation to the movement of the machine gate.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a split die having transverse sections which may be opened independently of one another.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, an open die is split along a plane or planes perpendicular to the axis of the central cavity so that portions of the die halves may be opened unequal amounts. A ram-operated toggle mechanism is provided for opening and closing the separate portions of the die halves and means are provided to cause the toggles to travel through different arcs to effect the differences in the amounts which the die half portions open and close. f

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

Por a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

YFIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a double blow open die machine, the apparatus of the invention forming a part thereof;

FIG 2 is a partial sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. l, showing a die in the open position;

PIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing only the die sections but `at an enlarged scale, the die being shown in the closed position; 1

FlG. 5 is a partial elevational view showing the'faces of two dies in the closed position; and Y `FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the toggle grip elements shown in IFIG. 2, the toggles being at the closed die position.

Referring now to FIGS. l and 2, a machine frame 11 has journalled therein a crank shaft 1-2 having mounted .thereon a flywheel 13 driven through a belt .14 from a suitable source (not shown). A shaft 1'5` is also jour'- nalled in the machine frame and has a gear 16 keyed thereon which meshes with a gear -17 keyed to crankshaft .12. Gear 16 is provided with an internal cam surface 18, and mounted to shaft 15 adjacent the face of gear 16 is an external cam 19. A bell crank 21 is pivoted to the machine frame at .22 with a cam follower 23 being pivoted to one end of the bell crank. Cam follower .23 is disposed to engage the surfaces of internal cam =1'8 and external cam 19 to oscillare the bell crank responsive to the profiles of the cams as shaft V15 is rotated.

A ram 24 is slidably mounted in the machine frame with a link 25 pivoted to the outer end thereof. Link 25 is provided with an adjustable block 26 to which is pivoted the other end of bell crank 21. As shown in FIG. 2, ram 24 extends completely through the machine frame and is provided with a cut-out section 27 in which toggle blocks 28 and 29 ride. For convenience, the ram end will be indicated as 31. The cut-out section 27 in ram 24 has a transverse face A defined by ram end 31 and a transverse face B axially displaced from face A. Toggle block 28 abuts face B and is held in spaced relation to Vface A by means of a pin 32 slidably mounted in toggle block 29 and extending between face A and the side of the ytoggle block 28 opposite to the side in contact i withface B. This construction is frame.

shown with greater clarity in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6. Y

A pair of rods 33 are vslidably mountedV through ramV end 31, the inner end 'of the rods engaging suitable grooves in togglegblock. 29 as is clearly shownrin FIG. 3.

Adjustablenuts 34'are threadedr onto the louterrends of rods 33 and'rsprin'gs 35' encircle the rods between nuts section 52 Vaway from ydie section 53, 'thereby provid- 'ing the spacing shown in FIG. 2. Die section 52 will be urged into contact with die section 53 as the punches 68 and 69nare advanced to perform the forming operations. *Punches'i68 and 69, VShown in phantom inFIG. 2, will be mounted on a gate and shifted in any wellknown manner.' Since the Vpunches and :the'shifting 34 andthe end surface of ram end 3,1 to Vyieldably urge i: toggle block 29 toward the left as shown in the figures.

A pair of stopsV 36 extend through and threadedly engage ram end 31 and adju'stably limit the position to which toggle block 29 may be urged tothe left by springs 35.v

As shown vin FIG. 2, two wedges, 37 and 38,'are slid# ably mounted Within the machine frame, their positions being adjustable byrneans of adjusting bolts .39 and '46 which threadedly engage blocks attached to lthe machine shaped sidefin contact with wedges 37 and 38V respectively. By means of adjusting bolts 39and 46wedges 37 and 38 can be adjusted to independently move toggle rockmechanism' form no part rof this invention and are vwellknown in the art, no further'description is deemed necessary.

An ejectingpin Y71 is slidably mounted in the die cavity andis operated by a slidable ejecting plunger 72 in any well-known manner to eject the workpiece after Also slidably mounted Within the machine Vframe u l are togglel rocking blocks 43 and 44, each having a wedgef ing blocks 43 and 44 toward or from 'the ,center ofjram 24andbolts 45 threadedlyk engaging each ofthe toggle n rocking blocks through themachine -frame secure the blocks Vin the selected position.Y Y

Pivoted betweenrtog'gle block 28 and toggle rocking Y it has been operated on'byY punches 68 and 69.

In operation, rod .stock would be fed to a cut-offv dle i'S `(FIG. 5), by means ofV any'of the Well-known feed devices. 7 At the'cut-oif die, a preselected length lof rod would be Ysevered from the rod stockv by a cut-off knife and the `severed workpiece would `be transferred by a mechanismtnot shown) to Vthedie cavity. During transfer the die halves wouldbevin the position `shown in FIG. 2. In-this open die position, attention is directed to the fact that Vtoggles V47' and 64 make aV smaller angle with the vertical for a line of movement of die closure,

block 43is a toggley 46, while pivoted between `blocks 29 'Y and 44 is a toggle 47. Each toggle is pivoted in suchV a manner that-it-will notY withdraw from the blocks in which it isfpivoted as it draws the blocks toward each other. However, it may be removed Vby sliding it 1onvgitudina'llyin the pivot grooves. 'Y

than` do 4toggles 46' and 57, Athus providing for greater separation of die section 51 over die sections 52 through S4. Furthermore, it willv be noted that plunger 55 must travel a greater amounty than plunger 62 to effect cornplete closure of the die. Flywheel 13, whichv rotates continuously, drives gear 16 through' gear 17 and, in

' timed relation to the ytransfer of the workpiece to the As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the'upper orrrst'head- 'i ing Ydie is split axially into twohalves, 48 and'49. The

dieis 'also composed of sections, each section forming a plane perpendicular to the axis of the die cavity. As

will be'hereafter explained, the Youter sections ,of the innerV sections thereof. The sections 'of die half 49 are adapted to move to effect openingV and closingY of the Vdie while vthe sections of die half 48 may be mounted stationarywithin the machine frame or some or all ofV vthe sections may be slidably mounted to the frame. As

illustrated herein, Veach die half is composed ofV four sections, the'sections being numbered 51 through 5,471

for the sake of convenience, section 51 beingjthe section provided at the diefsurface. The opening half of'die section 51 is slidably mounted in the machine frameY and is mounted to a plunger 55 Vwhich is also slidably mounted in the Ymachine frame andcarries at the opposite end thereof Ya toggle rocking block 56. A `toggle 57 is pivoted in toggle block 28 and toggle rocking'block4 56 to operatively connect theY blocks.

Die sections 52, Y53 andy 54 are also slidably mounted in the machine frame and halves may form .an 4axial, die Y" e split die are adapted to open a greaterV amount than the first die station, bell crank 21 will be rotated in a counter- Y clockwise direction,ras shownin FIG. l, due tothe profile ofcams 18 andr19. Counterclockwise rotation of bell' crank 21 advances ram 24V in a direction of the arrow in FIG. 2. Since toggle block 28 is in contact Vwithy surface Blon ram V24', the toggle block will be moved ltoward theleft', causing rotation of toggles 46 and 57 toY advance plunger 55. It isV notedthat toggle block 28 will alsoslidably movefwith relation to rram 24 in the same direction as plunger 55, due to the extension of Vtoggle V46 as it rotates. lToggle block 29 will also belcarried4 toward the left rby meansof rods 33, thereby advancing plunger "62 V towardY 'the closed position. vSince die sections 52 throughY 54 are openthe least amountfthey will attain the closedposition in .contact with the workpiece before, closure of section 51 is effected.'V When plunger 62 reaches its forward or closed die position, toggle 4block 29 will ceasemoving toward the left and continued movement of ram 24 will cause springsr35 to .be compressed, Vthus allowing the ram 24 to move while toggle block 29 remains stationary. Toggle block 28 will continue tobe advanced by ram v24 until ,die ,section 51'is' fully closed. i At that time,

toggle-block' 28 willabut toggle block 29 to lock die section 491m the closed position, the fully closed position of the toggle blocksVv as Yshown in FIG. 6.

When the die sections ,are fullyV closed,"the workpiece i willbe headedcor otherwise worked by'punches 68 and the` sectionvv of larger diameter extending partiallyjinto two of thel die sections, illustrated herein as'sections 52 Vbe desirable to'havethedie sectionsY spaced apart before the forming .operationY commences. a pair ofpins. 66 Aare slidably mounted in the machineV To effect this,v

frame and engage pins 66a Vaxiallytalig'ned with pins 66 andv slidably mounted in diesections k'53 and 54. VVThe outer endsof pins 66a engage the interface ofrdie sec'- tionV 52 adjacent die section 53,; lSprings 67 YactingV be-.` tween ithe machineframe and pins lyieldrably'urge die 'Y and 53. VSince the workpiece4 will Vhave an expanded;

Yportion along its length-'intermediate Vits ends, it may 69 andthe workpiece Will Vbe 'expanded ,to fill the die cavity. During the working operations, the die sections will remain closed dueto the dwell profile vof cams 18 fand19.YY

Upon completionof the expanding operation, gear 16, which rotates in timed jrelation Vtothe movement of the Ugate, moves the cam surfaces past the dwell point and commences withdrawal of ram 24 to the right. As the Y ram is withdrawn, pin 32extending between vleft face A of the ram'andtoggleblock 28move's. the toggle block -to the right vasvshown in FIG. 6, thereby commencing opening of die section 51. .Die sections 52 through 54 will be held closed by springs 35 during initial movement of the ram. When Vstops 36 advance into engagement with toggle vblock .29, continued movement of theram will thereafter carry toggle block 29 to the right to open the die sections controlled by plunger 62.:

It is thusl evident that die section 51 of die half 49 will open a greater amount than die sections 52 through 54. The amount of the larger opening will be suiiicient to clear the expanded section between the interface of the die halves, while the opening of the smaller die sections will be sufiicient only to allow the workpiece to be partially ejected from the die. The workpiece is ejected by means of ejecting pins 7l and ejecting plunger 72 operated in timed relation to the movement of the fiywheel. Thus, -it is seen that control over the workpiece is still maintained even though a portion of the die is sufiiciently opened to clear the expanded portion between the interface of the die halves.

Thereafter, the transfer mechanism (not shown) will transfer the workpiece to the next die station. This station may comprise die halves 81 and 82. (FIG. 5). Since the operations performed in the die formed by die halves 81 and 82 are, in this example, the final operations, it

-is not necessary that control of the workpiece be mainlclosed, as heretofore described.

If desired, the last section at a die station, such as die section 54, may be a solid die ratherfthan a split die. A solid die may be used if an extrusion operation is to be combined with a heading operation. In such case,

the split die can be used as described above and the initial ejection of the workpiece must be sufiicient to clear the solid extrusion die.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are eiciently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter 0f language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:

1. In a header or like machine having a frame, the combination of:

(a) at least one die having a cavity, said die composed of,

(i) two die halves divided along a plane passing through the axis of the die cavity,

(ii) a plurality of sections divided along parallel planes perpendicular to the axis of the die cavity,

at least one die half being slidably mounted in the machine frame,

(b) a first mechanism cooperatively connected to less than all the sections of the slidable die half, said first mechanism adapted to fully close the associated die sections and open said sections a rst amount transversely to the axis of said cavity,

(c) a second mechanism cooperatively connected to the remaining sections of the slidable die half, said second mechanism adapted to fully close the associated die sections and open said sections a second amount transversely to the axis of said cavity, the second amount differing from the first amount, and

(d) single means slidably mounted in the frame, for operating both 'of said first and second mechanisms.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said means for actuating said first and second mechanisms comprises a single ram slidably mounted in the frame to actuate both said first and second mechanisms. l

3. The structure defined in claim 2, wherein an internal and an external cam are provided to actuate said ram.

4. The structure defined in claim 3 and further including a bell crank pivoted lto the frame with one portion thereof in contact with said cams, the other portion thereof being operatively connected to said ram whereby the bell crank is oscillated about its pivot to linearly actuate said ram in response to the changing of the cam prole. A 5. The structure defined in claim 4 and further including means for changing the position of connection of said bell crank to said ram, to adjust the limit of advance of said ram.

v6.. The structure defined in claim 2, wherein said first mechanism comprises a plunger slidably mounted in said machine frame and cooperating with said die sections, a toggle block carried by said ram, and toggles pivoted between said frame and saidtoggle block and between said plunger and said toggle block to transfer linear motion of said ram along one line to linear motion of said plunger along a transverse line.

7. The structure defined in claim 6 and further including means to adjust the location of the point of pivot of said toggle block to said lframe along a line parallel to the direction of sliding movement of said plunger.

8. The structure defined in claim 2, wherein said sec- ,ond mechanism comprises a plunger slidably mounted in -said machine frame and cooperating with said die sections, a toggle block carried by said ram, a toggle rocking block mounted in said frame, and toggles pivoted between said toggle rocking block and said toggle block and between said plunger and said toggle block to transfer linear motion of said ram along one line `to linear motion of said plunger along the transverse line.

9. The structure defined in claim 8, wherein said toggle rocking block is provided with an inclined surface and said mechanism further includes an inclined wedge slidably mounted between said toggle rocking block in said frame, the inclined surface of said wedge being in contact with the inclined surface of said toggle rocking block, and means for adjusting the position of said inclined wedge to adjust the location of the point of pivot of said toggle in said toggle rocking block along a line parallel to the direction of sliding movement of said plunger.

10. In a header or like machine comprising in combination, a frame, a ram slidably mounted in said frame, a first toggle block slidably mounted in said ram and cooperatively engaging a second toggle block slidably mounted in said ram, means to urge said toggle block out of contact with said first toggle block, a first pivot block mounted in said frame, a second pvot block mounted in said frame, a first toggle pivoted between said pivot block and said first toggle block, a second toggle pivoted between said second pivot block and said second toggle block, a first plunger mounted in said frame and adapted to slide transversely to the directionof slidable movement of said ram, a second plunger mounted in said frame and adapted to slide parallel to said first plunger, a third toggle pivoted between said first plunger and said first toggle block and a fourth toggle pivoted between said second plunger and said second toggle block.

11. The structure defined in claim 10, wherein said ram is provided with a cut-out section having axially spaced walls between which said first and second toggle blocks are mounted, wherein said means to urge said toggle blocks into separation comprises a pin slidably mounted in said second toggle block and extending between one wall of said ram and said first toggle block, to urge said first toggle block into contact with one of said walls, an axial rod secured at one end to said second toggle block and extending slidably through said ram,

and resilient means acting on said rodto yieldably urge Y 12. The structure dened in claim 11 VandY further yinf cluding'adjustable stops mounted in said ram for determining the maximum approach of said second toggle block toward 1the other'of said walls. t

13. The structure deiined i'nclaim 12, wherein Vsaid adjustableV stopsV compriseV at least two bolts threadedly engaging'said ram and extendingfthrou'ghrthe other of frame, aV

yhaving a cavity, said die-complanes'peipendicular to the axis of the'die cavity,

at least one die half Vbeingslidably mounted in the machine frame,

(b) a Virst mechanism cooperatively connected to less Vthan allthe sections of theY slidable die half, said lirst mechanism adapted to fully yclose the associated die sections and open said sections a irst amount transversely to the axis of said cavity,

(c.) a second mechanism cooperatively connected to the remaining sections of the slidable die half,'said second mechanism Vadapted to fully close, theassociated'diesections andopen'said sections a secondY` amount'transversely'to the axis of saidcavity, theV second amountl differing fromthejrst amount,

(d) means to separater inrran laxial (direction thea sections affected by said first mechanism' from'the sections affected by saidfsecond mechanism, "and (e). single means slidably mounted in the frame and coupled Vto only one ofrsaid mechanisms for actuating both of said rstand second mechanisms.v

10 said walls to prevent saidresecond toggle rocking block l to contact the wall through which said adjustable stops Y extend under the urging ofsaid resilient means.

Y S 15. In 'a vheader or like machine havinga frame, the combinationof:` v

(a)1a rpair of diesr forming a single die-station, the dies being axially adjacent and'having' a die cavity formed Y in both'dies, the innermost die being'` a solid die 'fadaptedto have extrusion take place therein, the outermost die being anl opening :die composed of,. Y (i.) tvvoV die halves'divided along a plane passing through the axisvof the' die cavity,v

e planes perpendicular tothe axis of theldie cavity, atleast one die half of' the opening die being slidably mounted inthe machine frame, Y (b) a rst mechanism cooperatively connected to' less thanall the sections of the f slidabledie fhalf, said 'first mechanism adapted to fully close the associated die sections andr'open said sections a'rst 'amount Y transversely to the axis'of said cavity, e Y Y(c) a second mechanism cooperatively connected to the vremaining sections vof the slidableV die half, said secondV mechanism adapted to fullyv 'close the ass'ociated die'sections and open said'sections a second amount'transversely-,tothe axis of said cavity, the Ysecond amount differing from vthe rst amount, (d) means slidably mounted in the frame and abutting onlyj oneV of said v'mechanisms Yfor operating both of said rst and second mechanisms;

References Cited by the Examiner Y Y UNiTED STATES'PATENTS 1,084,156 1/14 Loss f Y ,v 78-'17 fer/755,312" *4/-30 Brennan f 10-16 1,889,004 11/32 Pracny 10-16 Y`2,362,970 11/44 Bo11and r V ,.10'-16 2,759,379 s/56 Brandt-.f Y 78-17 WILLIAM J. STEPHENSON, Primary Examiner.

i (ii) aplur`ality'jofl sections divided along parallel 

1. IN A HEADER OR LIKE MACHINE HAVING A FRAME, THE COMBINATION OF: (A) AT LEAST ONE DIE HAVING A CAVITY, SAID DIE COMPOSED OF, (I) TWO DIE HALVES DIVIDED ALONG A PLANE PASSING THROUGH THE AXIS OF THE DIE CAVITY, (II) A PLURALITY OF SECTIONS DIVIDED ALONG PARALLEL PLANES PERPENDICULAR TO THE AXIS OF THE DIE CAVITY, AT LEAST ONE DIE HALF BEING SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN THE MACHINE FRAME, (B) A FIRST MECHANISM COOPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO LESS THAN ALL THE SECTIONS OF THE SLIDABLE DIE HALF, SAID FIRST MECHANISM ADAPTED TO FULLY CLOSE THE ASSOCIATED DIE SECTIONS AND OPEN SAID SECTIONS A FIRST AMOUNT TRANSVERSELY TO THE AXIS OF SAID CAVITY, (C) A SECOND MECHANISM COOPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO THE REMAINING SECTIONS OF THE SLIDABLE DIE HALF, SAID SECOND MECHANISM ADAPTED TO FULLY CLOSE THE ASSOCIATED DIE SECTIONS AND OPEN SAID SECTIONS A SECOND AMOUNT TRANSVERSELY TO THE AXIS OF SAID CAVITY, THE SECOND AMOUNT DIFFERING FROM THE FIRST AMOUNT, AND (D) SINGLE MEANS SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN THE FRAME, FOR OPERATING BOTH OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND MECHANISMS. 